Hungry (Warriors 113, Wolves 110)

The Warriors got a win on Tuesday when they very much needed one. For a team already struggling to hang onto the fringes of the respectability, losses to the Wolves, the Kings and the Griz (twice!) would have been hard on the early season psyche. But the Warriors found a way to gut out a 113-110 overtime victory, despite some tense moments. That’s the good news. The great news? The young players we’re depending on for our future were not only part of the victory, but a driving force behind it.

First, I can’t skip forward to a discussion of the youngsters without giving Jackson his due. Playing 48 minutes, hitting huge shots, and bringing the scrappy defense we all know he can muster, Captain Jack pulled the Warriors away from the ledge and led them to a victory. These are the types of games we want — and need — from Jackson. Of course, his then-lazy defense earlier in the second half was partially responsible for digging the Warriors’ hole and he took some cringe-inducing shots in an effort to get the Warriors back in the game, but we all know that we get the bad with the good with Jackson. Once again, the good far outweighed the bad.

But onto the real story with significance long after we forget that it took us overtime to beat one of the NBA’s long-term doormats. Don Nelson not only played Randolph, Wright, and Biedrins together, but they looked fantastic together in the first half. The three didn’t appear only managed a few minutes together in the second half, but they each made key contributions. Here’s what impressed me:

Randolph looks to be a freak of a small forward — capable of pushing the ball on the break with his head up, nailing a mid-range jumper he can create for himself, and rebounding at a board-every-three-minutes rate. His tough rebounding skills should mesh wonderfully with Wright, who has shown an ability to snag offensive boards but isn’t a high-volume rebounder at his current weight. Wright’s instincts often lead him to leak out on the break once the shot goes up while Randolph always seems to crash the boards. It works out well since Randolph has the skills to push the break and Wright has the speed and agility to finish it. My favorite play of the night, far more than any of Jackson’s heroics, was when Randolph actually ran a textbook perfect fast break. He pushed the ball up court, pulled a defender off the baseline to stop his dribble, waited for the defense to fully commit, and then fed a waiting Azubuike along the baseline for an easy lay-up. There have been so many botched fast breaks by those on our roster doing lousy point guard impersonations that it was wonderfully refreshing to actually see one run properly.

Wright showed his place in the front line during his excellent second half performance. He is still getting pushed around on defense in the post — and he will until he gains more strength in the coming years as his body matures. But when the Warriors shifted into a modified zone to close out the game (and make their comeback run), Wright was suddenly shifted from the post to the wing. Freed to use his length and speed, he provided great help defense against Jefferson, closed off passing lanes, and challenged jumpers. He introduced an energy and chaos that was missing from the Warriors’ defense in his absence. On offense, he moved without the ball, giving a nice escape hatch on several botched plays. His hook shot is becoming increasingly automatic as he gets more playing time, even against good shot blockers. His release is also growing quicker. On several plays he either caught the ball in traffic and head it up towards the basket before any defenders could respond or made a move towards the rim without putting the ball on the floor, drawing easy fouls from unprepared defenders. As he becomes more integrated into the system (and the Warriors finally get a real point guard), these are the raw skills that should allow him to have a healthy offensive game off any number of set plays.

Last, and certainly not least, Biedrins demonstrated just how far he has come over the past few years. Al Jefferson is a load down low and has one of the nicest touches in the NBA around the basket. A few years ago a player of his size and strength would have rolled right over Biedrins. Andris still had his hands full Tuesday night, but he responded in a variety of ways to frustrate Al’s shots or push him out from easy lay-ups. Turiaf also did an admirable job spelling Andris, providing exactly the type of brawny defense we had hoped for when the Ws signed him this off-season. Andris’ offensive game wasn’t as crisp against Jefferson’s size and shot-blocking, but Andris made the most of his opportunities, particularly from the line where he was 7-9. After his up-and-down playing time last year, it was also great to see Nelson let him fight through 43 minutes of basketball against the large, heavy and strong Wolves team.

As if the big three on the front line didn’t provide enough excitement, two youngsters at the 2 spot gave us more reason for excitement. Nelson gave Morrow and Belinelli a combined 18 minutes. The responded with 14 points on 5-9 shooting (4-7 from three point land). That’s precisely the type of microwave offensive spark this team needs from the bench. If the Warriors had an actual point guard to get these guys the ball during their respective hot streaks, they easily could have added on another 5-10 points in the same amount of time. Nelson experimented Tuesday with where he could use them in his rotations. Both players helped their causes with solid defense, decisive shots, and excellent energy.

Despite all of the above, there is the inconvenient fact that we just barely beat a really bad team. In our defense, we found a way to claw back into the game late in the fourth through tough defense, then closed out the game with a confident overtime. If you’re going to single out one downer from the whole experience, however, it would be the continued absence of anything resembling a point guard. CJ Watson, despite one very nice fast break pass to Jackson at the end of the 4th quarter, called his number far too often and missed tons of open looks for players like Randolph, Morrow and Belinelli. Jackson’s first half stint at point guard was an improvement over Watson, but in the second half Jackson settled for isolation and stagnation. DeMarcus Nelson was nowhere to be seen. Marcus Williams continues to languish in Don Nelson’s doghouse. We have players capable of being prolific scorers if they could only get the ball. A platoon of Watson and Jackson clearly isn’t up to the task. It’s time for Marcus Williams to get a real opportunity to show us what he can do. I’m not saying necessarily that Nelson is wrong in his assessment of Williams, but given how poor our ball movement is at the moment, there’s little downside in trying to see if he can unstuck the gears of our offense.

(As a side tangent, if Williams isn’t going to get a shot, it’s time to stick him (or DeMarcus Nelson or Rob Kurz) on the inactive list so we can finally see Hendrix get some minutes. I’m willing to bet he could give the Warriors what Craig Smith gave the Wolves Tuesday or what a rookie version Paul Milsap gave the Jazz a few years ago. Just like Turiaf provides a change of pace for Biedrins at the 5, Hendrix would provide a great change up for Wright.)

I’m trying not to get down with the losses during our stretch of player development games this season, but that also means that I won’t get too excited about the wins, particularly ones against the Wolves in overtime. When you focus on the key measure of the game — how our youth movement is progressing — Tuesday night provided a great moment for assessment. Brandan Wright is starting, Anthony Randolph is getting regular rotation minutes, and even Marco Belinelli and Anthony Morrow are cracking the rotation to knock down shots. This is the type of commitment to youth the team needs to maximize its potential later this season and beyond. 73 minutes combined for Wright, Randolph, Belinelli and Morrow isn’t just cause for celebration. For a Don Nelson team 8 games into the season, it’s reason to believe that the short, veteran heavy rotations of last season have finally been put to rest.

Adam Lauridsen

Post navigation

I love seeing the kids out there, including the guards like Belinelli and Morrow, but tonight we’re reminded once again of how utterly superior the leadership in Portland is to my own.

Rudy Fernandez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Marco Belinelli.

This is not close.
How did we screw this up so horribly?

the oracle

Cohan. Agreed. Portalnd is making all the right moves. And they are positioned to get even better. Pretty amazing what they’ve done is assembling a team of young players.

Funny quote from AH’s agent on TK’s site, who got pissed when Nelson inferred that AH’s back problems aren’t legit:

“I’m not surprised that president/general manager Nelson made light of Al’s condition,” Fegan said. “The only thing that surprises me is, since he’s grabbed every other important position in the organization, Nelson hasn’t made himself team physician and examined Al’s back himself.”

Chris Cohan

Nellie pulls this s–t everywhere he goes. He’s a total drama queen.
Playing the youth is also a fine way to showcase the youth.

You’ve been warned.

the oracle

Pbob,
#72. I don’t think you have your facts correct on Ike.

Montgomery played Diaogu 1000 minutes as a rookie. That decent rookie PT.

In his 2nd year under Nelson, for about 1/2 a year, he got 222 minutes. Hardly the same rate. Nelson played him much less, about 1/2 what Montgomery gave the rookie.

But I’ll give Nellie a complete pass on Diagu. Montgomery played him decent minutes as a rookie. Nelson played him a little. Indiana played him more after they got him. I would conclude he got his chance.

I don’t think Nelson ruined Diagu. But there is the comparison to be made about how Montgomery played rookie 1st round picks and how Nelson hasn’t. Of course, they’re also the comparison to be made about how almost all other NBA teams and coaches play their 1st round lottery picks and Nelson doesn’t. But you keep making excuses for DN. Just don’t let the facts get in your way.

We’re still waiting. This could be the year DN actually tries to develop his young players with PT. Especially if the injury bug continues and forces him to do it.

BTW, remember Nelson said last year BW wasn’t ready? Well guess what he said recently about AR before he started playing him due to injuries? Two guesses.

Adam, youve done a great job to spark a tremendous round of comments…truly entertaining.

AB, BW, and AR are the future…..Nellie needs to start all 3 with Jack and Monta (when he gets back) and bring Kaz and Maggz off the bench…actually trade Maggette and Al (who is gone in my mind)…(Monta also is also the most important part of the future)

Randolph is super raw on offense…great handle for someone his size but like others have stated in this blog, he has ZERO concept of a good shot…I love his intensity on D….I love how he tries to get every rebound and tries to block every shot….At the same time it makes me sicc when he is for 1 minute and immediately chucks a 20 ftr on his 1st touch…the worse thing that couldve happened to AR was him making 3-4 jumpers against Memphis (i believe?)…he has the desire and will become a star…

BW is legit….he is stud and willbecome an uberstud…His confidence is increasing every game….yeah he will have some bad games, but he is very aggressive on offense and really does know what he is doing on tht end of the floor….he still gets pushed around on D, but his length is awesome! He gets some timely blocks…

AB is a stud…

Oracle, POB is garbage….Nellie didnt play him because he has ZERO intensity…I read a pre draft thing on him and his career goal was to be a chef??? WTF…you’re not the only one who thought he was good….Peter Vescey also has egg on his face…

Kaz wouldnt pass the ball if his life depended on it…i think he will be the 6th man of the year….but he needs to stop shooting 3’s. He is great around the hoop and has an improving mid range game…but his tunnel vision is ridiculous…

Woo is siccc….He is a true leader!…He alone has the Dubs Gangsta qoutient at appropriate levels….That was the biggest factor in the trade that brought Jack and Al…we got rid of Dunnuthin and Surph and Murph (who combine to have negative swagger). While is doneski, Jack brings IT every night. The Dubs need more of IT….Appropriate gangsta quotients = swagger….we will have that when Monta gets back and when AR is our starting 3 in a year or 2. AB has the Euro G in him and somewhere deep down BDub has a little…he def needs to kick it with Jack so it can brought out of him…

Usually Lurking: Your observation that Brandan Wright plays like Antawn Jamison is right on! Honestly, that occurred to me too. And Antawn had a lot of trouble at the beginning (I recall three airballed free throws in one game!). But Antawn always had something of a jump shot, which he eventually developed even into an effective three ball from the corner. Other posters have said Wright plays a bit like Andris did at the beginning, scooping up missed shots and blocking shots. There’s something to that too.

Antawn Jamison, however, was always more physically powerful, having played center in college. He always played more physically too. I don’t see Wright stepping in to take a charge, for example, something Antawn was always willing to do. Or bodying up enough to deter progress to the hoop.

I am not disparaging Brandan Wright. He’s a talented player. It’s just that his skill set and potential rank WAY below Anthony Randolph and that’s not going to change. So something has to be done about it. Most encouraging last night was Nelson staying with Randolph even as he chewed him out mercilessly. Maybe Nelson finally got the memo on Randolph. We’ve seen some of the amazing things Randolph can do, but we’ve yet to see in the NBA what impressed me the most in Vegas: his toughness inside. Nelson does not utilize Randolph properly. Match him up with Andris in a double post and watch what they do together.

A previous poster made the point that Marco Bellinelli and Brandan Wright play well together. I have noticed that too. The chemistry worked in Vegas. Unfortunately Marco has not been given sufficient opportunity to show his skills as a playmaker. He comes into the game and everyone expects “bombs away” threes. That vastly underestimates his skills, and may even influence him to shoot more than he would if he played longer stretches. Marco played just FOUR minutes last night, despite lighting it up and playing tough D. Nelson: stop punishing the kid and give him a chance. If not now, when? Maggette’s return is going to cut everybody’s minutes back.

Concerning the front office politics: while it sounds like Rowell and Nelson are true culprits and scoundrels, I can never forgive Chris Mullin for making the stuuuuuuuupidest offer ever to Gilbert Arenas (which he turned down for less money), his inability to attract Elton Brand (who took less money elsewhere), the signing of Corey Maggette (who offers nothing more than we get from Kelenna, who Mullin then resigned), and the signing of Marcus Williams as a key part of the rebuilding process. I don’t fault him for POB or Diagu, nobody knows about draftees. And I love him for Randolph, Bellinelli, and especially Biedrins. Drafting a 17 year old Latvian kid who can’t shoot took guts, and he showed it. But, still, Mully’s record as a personnel guy is very shakey…not even counting the trades and lengthy extensions to questionnable players. I can’t get to worked up over the front office controversy.

moto

James OL (93) please refer to the Steinmetz blog specifically addressing Nelson’s scolding Randolph during the Min game–Steinmetz had similar concerns to yours but Randolph’s apparently o.k. with it for now. The players have probably been forewarned by Nelson, his assistants and captains that such chastisement can and will occur as part of the trial by live-fire.

C.Cohan(103) part of the coach’s job, perhaps of greater import in a non-contending year, is to sort out which new players are worth keeping long term, and who has maximum value as a trade asset with the ultimate goal of getting that minimum winning core of three keystone stars and six more solid support guys. Rowell probably considers himself lucky that the Indy trade rescued them from being stuck with three players who were incorrectly assessed and were potential money traps. They need a player with dominating talent to go with Biedrins, Ellis, (maybe) Randolph, it most likely will not be Wright, so most of the roster can be means to getting that player.

#104 Tony M…Don’t know if your kind of post belongs on this blog…jeez how can you extoll the virtues of a player without ripping another player…Seriously thanks for the even handed remarks, wish we had more of that!

believeit

Greatest excitement for me, young guys demanding for a chance to play, getting a chance to play and delivering(consistency will come). On another note, this year, it might only take 43 wins to make playoffs meaning Ws could be in contention for 3/4 of season, atleast.

Son of Ahmed

Steven Jackson is like air. You take it for granted until its gone. I’m telling you, Jax doesn’t get enough love from fans.

He hit a lot of big shots last night. That trey he hit in the waning minutes was the shot of the night. As much as we bitch about his shot selection (I do too) you have to admit he nails a high percentage of them when the game is on the line. Clutch players like that Jackson are very rare. Strong, fearless, mentally tough, smart. You keep them on your team.

the Shipment

Matt Barnes strikes again. Kids got no fuse.

dr_john

Stephen Jackson has the green light. You remember only what you want, Son. He missed an early shot-clock 3 at the end of the game which might have won in regulation, too.

But here are the facts, not air, either: (1) SJ leads the league in 3 pt attempts, but the percentage is woeful. At least his percentage is better than LeBron 🙂 , and (2) SJ leads the league in turnovers.

He is streaky, and is best at the 3 pt. shot when squared up with some room. But what he is, mostly, is a good 30 minute per game versatil small forward. I can’t wait until his role is redefined to fit his talents.

Regardless of whether you agree with this part of it, there is a serious question of whether you give him the feel-good extension he thinks he deserves.

In three years he may need a wheelchair to get up and down the court.

Pbob20

Oracle

Wrong again. Diogu had 40 games under Nelson. He was out 19 games with an ankle injury, had 2 DNP’s. DN played him 17 of 19 games for 200 minutes which equates to 1000 min for a season.

TStumbling on those pesty facts again Oracle. Thanks for the “pass”, but it actually proves the opposite of your point.

Anthony Randolph … the future: Plain and simple, he is going to be good. Very good. It’s not all going to come at once, but you’ll see progression over the course of this season and more next season.

Then, at some point, he will break through. The thinking within the Warriors’ organization is that when Randolph breaks through, he will probably be the team’s best player and a guy who makes everyone around him better.

Pbob20

A few if’s but..

If ME comes back and continues to improve as he was
If BW gets stronger/develops outside shot
if AB just keeps doing what he’s doing
ANd if AR meets his potential

That is one fast, highflying core, 8 blocks a night… For a long long time… Pick the right PG or 2 and you have a D….. one day at a time. one day at a time.

Gwydion

Just Curious #90

It was a sort of joke made only because the salaries worked out. I’ve never been a Marbury fan, and he would only be a short term rental, but I have several reasons (mostly addition by subtraction) for suggesting the trade.

1) Al Harrington…ah hell, I don’t have to justify this one. He has to go so young guys who are already better players can get playing time. Seems to be a nice guy, but I don’t think he could dominate the boards at the local YMCA.

2) Corey Maggette. I’ve been absoolutely appalled at the lack of ball movement when he is in the game. He won’t pass and seems to feel he is the guy who has to shoot. I’ve always really disliked selfish players and he seems to ba a classic ball hog. He will cripple this team’s offense if he gets major minutes and slow the pace of the game to a snail’s pace as he goes to the line time after time. Trade him back east where they seem to like those kind of games. I think the Warriors acquired him knowing he was a nice trading piece. Let’s go ahead and do it.

3) Salaries Al’s $9M and Corey’s $10M are pretty close to equaling Starbury’s $19-20M. Do I think Marbury’s worth that? Not even close, but I believe its only for one more year. (might be wrong, if it’s for more, then just forget all this as the product of too much time with the crack pipe)

4) Marbury…well, Nellie does like scoring PGs. Marbury can play our pace and he’s certainly a better option than we currently have. Maybe we can toss Marcus Williams in on this deal, too.

5) David Lee…he seems to be the one player the Knicks won’t part with and I don’t think we even need him anymore. We’re reasonably loaded with potential at his position (yes, I do like BW). Wouldn’t mind the draft pick if that works out.

Anyway, just thought I’d float it with the idea of filling the void until Monta’s return.

Thanks to Ghost of Franklin M for imparting the knowledge on how to create a winky.
😉

feltbot

I’m surprised that no one has taken up the cause of Darko Milicic on this blog. No one can deny that he hates rookies as much as DN. He is obviously to blame for poor Darko’s struggles.

Fire Larry Brown!

feltbot

sorry for poor syntax above…. by “he” i mean of course Larry Brown. And i realize LB is now coaching Charlotte. But these sorts of vicious rookie-soul-destroyers should have no place in this league.

Right?

feltbot

Its good to see our starting power forward making progress. After a 2 rebound performance against Memphis, he has now put up two consecutive 4 rebound performances, against Sacramento and Minnesota. Now that’s HEART! This is what we need from our power forward!

Right?

Gwydion

Yeah, it’s just terrible the way Andris is hogging rebounds on this team. What can we do to make him share?

What’s more enjoyable? Watching Baron Davis go 4 for 15 while giving up 30 to Beno Udrih or checking out Mike Dunleavy Sr.’s unbelievably bad suits and ties? He’s your boss, Baron, for years unless you can get him fired. Enjoy LA.

Oldfan

Hey Felty @120…You’re probably rejoicing that you now have a compatriot in James Online joining you in your venomous attacks on Brandan.

I love this, present a premise & edit the facts to support it game we all play. The games you use for evidence against BW he played 10, 24 & 21 minutes. Brandan is of course a neophyte still developing his trade.

So just for comparison how about a guy you have mentioned in past rants, a guy who is a seasoned vet, “fully developed” & an all-star, David West:

Guess NO should send him to the D league? At least JOL ususally ends his diatribe with “I really like BW”, aw hypocracy.

Wonder if you & JOL have the same IP? And where is Garlicboy to rubberstamp your argument?

Bwright Believer

JOL

FYI, Branden Haywood was center on that North Carolina team. And I know you didn’t just laud Antawn’s defensive abilitiies. I’d much rather have someone try to block shots. BW will shoot in the mid .500’s, something the detractors are curiously overlooking.

Oldfan

Sorry for the sloppy columns on Wests stats…wasn’t that way when I hit submit…anyway you get the point.

Pbob20

Feltbot

Concerning your poking fun at BW’s improvement from 2 Rebs up to 4 rebs – it is improvement. The real question is… Is the improvement linear or exponential – or will next week be 6 reb.s or 16? I’m hoping for exponential.

Technically Jamison played forward at North Carolina. In terms of the sets, his game was purely inside–a de facto center. He was, and still is, a poor on-ball defender. Same with Wright, except that Jamison is much stronger.

Mr Mully

Rudy Fernandez is frikkin lights out all types of awesome. I saw him play the US in the Finals(live btw) and right then and there I made a note to be SURE to draft him. Portland purged the front office and brought in an excellent staff which then purged all the Jailblazin players. They then not only drafted talent in abundance but drafted solid character guys who you would love to root for. Their rebuilding project should be the model in which all flailing franchises are rebuilt. Hopefully starting with ours.

SofA

I’m sorry to say but Jax and his turf toe have become a poor man’s Boom Dizzle. He’ll do some stuff near the end of games that’ll get ya pumpin but not so much as to forget he was a leading contributer to why we were behind in the first place. Due to his injury(that’ll NEVER heal playin 40 minutes a night) he can’t defend like he used to and he fires up reckless 3 after reckless 3. Sure he has a flair for the dramatic but someone needs to tells him he’s not Lebron James. He’d be better served as a Bruce Bowen. Play stiff D and hit the shot out of the double team. Until he can learn to harness some of his hot shot instincts he will continue to be a detriment to this team.

Mr Mully

By draftin RF I meant fantasy basketball wise.

Mr Mully

From Dan Fegan, AH’s agent via Tk’s blog

“I’m not surprised that president/general manager Nelson made light of Al’s condition,” Fegan said. “The only thing that surprises me is, since he’s grabbed every other important position in the organization, Nelson hasn’t made himself team physician and examined Al’s back himself.”

Anyone still doubting BeneDon Arnold’s involvement in the Mully execution?

el topo

Ease up on DN not playing or developing rookies.

Some young German was developed by the Don…played about 20 minutes per and was TERRIBLE…no D, shot 20% threes, 40% twos.

So why was he playing? Could it be DN saw some talent there?

Perhaps BW is not a Dirk? As for AR, we don´t yet know how many minutes he´ll play this year, so let´s all calm down.

ACC

Rudy Fernandez is what Marco should have been. Both are excellent shooters and have high BB IQ. The differences, the coach of Portland lets him have the minutes and also Portland has a legitimate PG in Steve Blake and a good passing shooting guard in Brandon Roy.

If Rudy Fernandez were drafted by the W’s, he will end up like Marco.

But for this season’s need, W’s management but go after a PG. Carlos Arroyo who is Europe might be persuaded to come back if the price is right. Point Guard, Point guard, Point guard is the missing link to get this team running again.

Chris Cohan

el topo has been reading the archives from the last time we dissected what a huge prick Nellie is once he loses interest.

Del Harris’ son goes from being the Buck’s GM to DN’s assitant coach. Ouch.

Pbob20

Err… meant assisant

Pbob20

lol – long day – one more time – assistant

The Ghost of Franklin M

Hurry up, dudes!

Let’s get this to 200 before Adam posts again.

Mr Mully

New rule. No drafting players out of Italy. Bargani was the first, let’s let Marco be the last. As good as they look in suits I just don’t think they are NBA ready. When Latvia and China have better NBA products, you know something’s wrong.

Todd Fulleresque

Because I am Damn Bored, and I know you are all missing Al Harrington as much as I am.. I thought I would share these tidbits from his blog.(yes, he has a blog) consider it your “Al Fix” for the day.

FACTS ABOUT AL 😀

During the summer of 1997, he worked in the office of New Jersey Senator Richard Codey(whouda’ thunk it???)

While in high school, he played cowboy Frank Butler in a production of “Annie Get Your Gun”, performing 5 solos(my personal favorite)

Sang a duet with Rosie O’Donnell – “Anything You Can Do” – when he appeared on her television show as part of the McDonald’s All-America team(can’t believe I missed it)

Has two younger brothers and a younger sister(bet his sister can beat him at hoops)

Wears a size 17 basketball shoe(no wonder he can’t get off the ground for rebounds)

Son of Ahmed

I’m still perplexed by the lack of Jackson love here. Ok, so Jackson has his faults. I see them, too. But if you take Jackson off of the roster, this team is abysmal.

Would anyone like to add to this team a guy who scores 23 points a game, dishes out 5.6 dimes a game, and has an EFF rating of +17.25? Would anyone like to add to the roster a player who demonstrates passion, leadership, loyalty, respect, toughness, clutch shooting, and real community involvement?

No one will ever mistake Jackson for Lebron James; he’s just not that kind of physical talent. But Jackson’s resume is very impressive. He’s the kind of player any team would be lucky to have.

May seem like a random post, but no one except Adam even mentioned him after the victory over the T-wolves. Fans take him for granted.

Chris Cohan

Why are a few of you so paranoid about Jackson?
What’s your deal?

If fans aren’t lavishing praise on him this week, they’re just not.
Quit whining about f–king Jackson, this is the kids’ week.

Jackson ain’t whining. Jackson’s still shooting and playing his half ass game under cover of a 2-3 zone against one of the league’s worst franchizes with a D-League coach in a home OT scraper. He hit some of the big shots, he has the part-timers in his back pocket, he’s got his money coming to him, he knows the fanbase has Bobby Rowell by the balls on this one, he did the hard work already.

He’ll be back to his usual disciplined, focused, passionate leader, historicall verified, consistent self once he gets his money.

Non-issue.

PJ

As much has been shown about Oracle’s prognostication abilities, I actually have to agree with him on the playing time issues. Though it probably needs to be said how pathetic his self-righteous, indignant, lingering attempts are to redeem himself.

Either way, while giving no playing time to any rookie and forcing them to show it all in practice, they lose a critical element to their development. Lets say they actually do start improving in practice, or they even show glimpses of what they may be able to do in a game; if they don’t ever actually get into a game, what makes them think any more improvement will get noticed? To be stifled like that has got to be frustrating beyond our understanding. What other motivation does a player have to put in more effort if they can’t even see what they are doing well and what they are doing poorly in a game atmosphere? No matter what way you look at it, practice is not a game, and contributions are not viewed in the same way by anyone.

I don’t get what the deal is with coaches screaming their heads off and cussing out players anyway. Nobody responds well to that, it just creates resentment, frustration and more importantly, fear of making future mistakes. I don’t yell at any of my kids, worst I’ll give them is a finger in the face to let them know I’m serious. They end up feeling looser on the court and believing in themselves more.

Chris Cohan

Ahmed, this one’s for you.

Stephen Jackson is so great.
We’re awesome!
Playoffs for sure!
CJ Watson and Kelenna Azubuike for the win!
All thanks to the Great Stephen Jackson.

the oracle

Just catching up.

Pbob, Montgomery played Diogu 1000 mintues as a rookie. Nelson came in and played him 200m in 20 games as a 2nd year player (forgot about the injury, not trying to pull a fast one). For me that is an example of Montogomery developing players, Nelson not so much. Nelson has shown he will play guys that Montgomery developed, not the least of which are AB and Monta. Would Nelson have played Diogu 1000m as a rookie? That’s the real question, and recent history with Nelson strongly suggests the answer is no as none of his rookies has played anywhere near to that. What he does with a player another coach took the chance to develop as a rookie doesn’t impress me much.

Son, I like Jacks too. He brings much to this team in leadership. When his shot is on he’s deadly. He’s being overplayed.

PJ, you agree with me and then insult me. I think you could have made your point just as well without mentioning me. The fact that you felt compelled to insult me says more about you than me. That said, I agree with your post, both about PT and that there is little benefit, and negative consequences, from screaming at players.